Tourism operators in Madagascar say government-issued travel advisories continue to have a severe impact on tourism even as stability returns following recent political unrest.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office confirmed this week that it no longer advises against all but essential travel to Madagascar after the situation in the country normalised. Protests and isolated incidents of violence in September and early October have subsided with an interim president installed.
However, the damage to tourism momentum has already been felt. According to Martijn Mellaart, Sense of Oceans Chief Business Development Officer, the effect of prolonged travel warnings has been “devastating” for bookings, particularly from key European markets.
“Travel advisories in certain countries come with implications for the tour operators as a law. In the UK and Switzerland, for instance, if there is negative travel advice, operators are obliged to return the full sum of travel tickets and land arrangements,” said Mellaart.
“For other countries, it means that, when destinations are on code orange or red, normally level three or level four, travel insurance no longer covers travellers. So, even if clients decide to go and something happens, they’re not protected.”
As a result, most operators have stopped sending clients altogether. “Nine out of 10 operators are not sending their clients,” Mellaart added. “That’s the main issue. These advisories are issued by government institutions and they don’t react swiftly. They are very quick to announce closures but very sluggish in removing them. It’s affecting our bookings heavily because people are cancelling for November and December. Until there is a change in these advisories, our hands are tied.”
The situation comes at a critical time for Madagascar’s tourism industry, which has steadily recovered post-pandemic. International air connectivity has resumed with Air France, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Airlink, Air Austral and Air Mauritius all operating regular services to Antananarivo. Emirates restarted flights on October 23 and Madagascar Airlines has reinstated night flights.
Despite this, the lingering perception of risk continues to deter travellers. “It’s ridiculous because the country is fully open,” said Mellaart.
